Fiscal Analyst

SAN-Benito-Count; Hollister (CA); On-site; USD 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

San Benito County is seeking a professional Financial Analyst to support the County Executive Office with fiscal analysis, budgeting, and reporting. Under direction, you will review budgets, grants, contracts, and programs, develop findings, and provide recommendations to improve financial performance and accountability.

The role requires strong analytical abilities, knowledge of governmental accounting, and the ability to present complex information clearly to staff and Board of Supervisors.

Qualifications

• Equivalent to bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, business administration or related field.
• Three (3) years of professional-level experience in financial analysis, accounting, budgeting, or related fiscal field, including substantial experience in public sector accounting.
• Ability to qualify for security clearance through a background investigation.
• Possession of a valid California class C driver license.

Responsibilities

• Participates in and oversees the development, administration, and monitoring of departmental budgets, including revenue and expenditure projections, forecasting, multi-year cash flow analysis, cost containment, funding allocations, and grant disbursements; identifies and recommends solutions to budgetary concerns.
• Coordinates the County budget process, communicates schedules and deadlines, assists departments with budget preparation, and reviews submissions for accuracy, completeness, appropriate funding sources, and compliance with County policies and priorities.
• Analyzes departmental budgets, revenues, expenditures, and funding allocations; researches fiscal trends and recommends adjustments to appropriations, positions, and funding sources.
• Reviews and analyzes accounting and financial records, reconciles accounts, prepares journal entries and financial reports, and ensures the accuracy and integrity of financial information.
• Monitors and administers grant funds; ensures compliance with applicable requirements; prepares claims, status reports, financial information, and supporting documentation.
• Analyzes legislation, contracts, agreements, programs, organizational structures, and staffing patterns to determine fiscal and administrative impacts and develop recommendations.
• Coordinates the resolution of complex or cross-departmental budget and fiscal issues and provides technical assistance regarding County accounting, budgeting, and financial policies and procedures.
• Conducts financial, operational, performance, and compliance reviews and audits; researches records and processes, evaluates findings, and recommends corrective actions and improvements.
• Develops and recommends fiscal policies, procedures, controls, and business processes to improve operational efficiency, maximize available funding, and minimize costs.
• Prepares financial, statistical, and narrative reports, presentations, and materials for the Board of Supervisors, including agenda items, resolutions, ordinances, and correspondence.
• Provides technical direction, training, and assistance to departmental staff and may supervise technical or clerical personnel.
• Provides technical support and documentation to external, governmental, and regulatory auditors and assists departments in implementing audit recommendations.
• Performs related duties as assigned.

Skills

Budget analysis

Financial analysis

Public sector accounting

Grant administration

Contract management

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, business administration or related field

Tools

Excel

Finance software

Job description

Under direction, performs professional financial, accounting, and statistical analysis in support of County operations; maintains fiscal controls and records; prepares financial transactions and reports; analyzes budgets, grants, contracts, programs, and operations; conducts studies, evaluations, and feasibility analyses; and prepares findings and recommendations to support effective County administration and decision-making. Performs related duties as assigned.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

This classification is characterized by responsibility for performing moderately complex fiscal and financial analysis in support of County programs, services, and operations. Positions work within the County Executive Office to analyze financial information, evaluate fiscal activity and trends, monitor revenues and expenditures, prepare financial reports and projections, and provide technical analysis and recommendations to support program and organizational decision-making. Positions may be assigned responsibility for significant fiscal activities or larger County programs and may provide technical direction or supervision to lower-level fiscal staff.

This classification is distinguished from the Administrative Analyst series by the specialized nature of its work. Positions in this classification are primarily responsible for fiscal and financial analysis and related financial management activities, while Administrative Analysts perform broader administrative, programmatic, and budgetary analysis and support. The distinguishing feature of this classification is the depth of specialized fiscal and financial responsibility rather than the general administrative scope of the work. Incumbents are under the general direction of the Chief Budget Officer and may work under the direction of, or receive assignments from, various Executive Office management staff.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES:

Duties include but are not limited to those described below. Reasonable accommodation will be made when requested and determined by the County to be appropriate under applicable law.

• Participates in and oversees the development, administration, and monitoring of departmental budgets, including revenue and expenditure projections, forecasting, multi-year cash flow analysis, cost containment, funding allocations, and grant disbursements; identifies and recommends solutions to budgetary concerns.
• Coordinates the County budget process, communicates schedules and deadlines, assists departments with budget preparation, and reviews submissions for accuracy, completeness, appropriate funding sources, and compliance with County policies and priorities.
• Analyzes departmental budgets, revenues, expenditures, and funding allocations; researches fiscal trends and recommends adjustments to appropriations, positions, and funding sources.
• Reviews and analyzes accounting and financial records, reconciles accounts, prepares journal entries and financial reports, and ensures the accuracy and integrity of financial information.
• Monitors and administers grant funds; ensures compliance with applicable requirements; prepares claims, status reports, financial information, and supporting documentation.
• Analyzes legislation, contracts, agreements, programs, organizational structures, and staffing patterns to determine fiscal and administrative impacts and develop recommendations.
• Coordinates the resolution of complex or cross-departmental budget and fiscal issues and provides technical assistance regarding County accounting, budgeting, and financial policies and procedures.
• Conducts financial, operational, performance, and compliance reviews and audits; researches records and processes, evaluates findings, and recommends corrective actions and improvements.
• Develops and recommends fiscal policies, procedures, controls, and business processes to improve operational efficiency, maximize available funding, and minimize costs.
• Prepares financial, statistical, and narrative reports, presentations, and materials for the Board of Supervisors, including agenda items, resolutions, ordinances, and correspondence.
• Provides technical direction, training, and assistance to departmental staff and may supervise technical or clerical personnel.
• Provides technical support and documentation to external, governmental, and regulatory auditors and assists departments in implementing audit recommendations.
• Performs related duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Any combination of education, training and experience that would likely provide the required knowledge, skills and abilities may be considered qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required knowledge, skills and abilities would be:

Education:

Equivalent to bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in accounting, finance, business administration or related field.

Experience:

Three (3) years of increasingly responsible professional-level experience in financial analysis, accounting, budgeting, or a closely related fiscal field, including substantial experience in public sector accounting.

Special Requirements:

• 1.Ability to qualify for security clearance through a background investigation, including a fingerprint check.
• 2.Possession of a valid California class C driver license.

Knowledge of:

Principles and practices of governmental accounting, fiscal management, budget development and administration, financial analysis, and internal controls; principles and practices of financial reporting, revenue and expenditure analysis, cash flow forecasting, account reconciliation, and fiscal monitoring; principles and practices of grant administration, including funding requirements, financial reporting, compliance, and disbursement of grant funds; applicable federal, State, and local laws, regulations, policies, contracts, and agreements governing governmental financial operations, grants, and fiscal activities; methods and techniques for researching, analyzing, evaluating, and reporting financial, budgetary, operational, and statistical information; principles and practices of program and financial management, including contracts, purchasing, appropriations, and resource allocation; audit principles and practices and methods for evaluating compliance, internal controls, and financial and operational processes; principles and techniques for developing, implementing, and evaluating fiscal policies, procedures, and business processes; organization, functions, and interrelationships of County government departments, programs and services; sources of information related to County programs, services, legislation and governmental fiscal activities; principles and techniques of effective communication for presenting complex financial and technical information; modern office technology and financial, spreadsheet, database, and other information systems used in fiscal and budgetary analysis.

Ability to:

Analyze complex budgets, financial practices, revenues, costs, and fiscal operations; develop recommendations for program and financial improvements; conduct administrative, fiscal, financial, and operational studies; research issues, evaluate alternatives, and recommend improvements; coordinate budgeting, fiscal reporting, grants, contracts, staffing proposals, and other programmatic activities; gather, analyze, interpret, summarize, and present complex administrative, financial, technical, and statistical information; prepare clear, concise, and accurate reports, recommendations, and presentations; interpret and apply Federal, State, and local laws, regulations, policies, and procedures applicable to departmental programs and operations; develop methods and procedures for collecting, analyzing, and reporting administrative, financial, and operational data; communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing, with the public, agency staff, and personnel at all levels of authority; establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with departmental personnel, other County departments, public agencies, and the general public; develop subject matter expertise; assist in establishing and implementing goals, objectives, policies, procedures, and work standards; independently organize and prioritize work, manage multiple assignments, maintain accurate records, and meet critical deadlines.

Physical Requirements/Work Environment:

Sit for extended periods; frequently stand and walk; normal manual dexterity and eye-hand coordination; lift and move objects weighing up to 25 lbs.; corrected hearing and vision to normal range; verbal communication; use of office equipment, including computer, telephone, calculator, copiers, and FAX. Work is performed in an office environment; continuous contact with other staff, other agencies, and the public.

Disaster Service Workers:

All San Benito County employees are designated “Disaster Service Workers” through state and local laws (CA Government Code Sec. 3100-3109 and Emergency Services Chapter 6 via adoption of local Ordinance No. 361 § 1, 2-25-75). As Disaster Service Workers, all County employees are expected to remain at work, or to report for work as soon as practicable, following significant emergency or disaster.